feat: Add comprehensive branch protection and release management

- Add detailed branch protection rules for algorithmic trading
- Create CODEOWNERS file for code ownership and review requirements
- Add automated branch protection setup workflow
- Create comprehensive release checklist template
- Include trading-specific validation and risk management rules
- Add emergency procedures and rollback plans
- Support semantic versioning and release automation
- Include quality gates and performance monitoring

.github/CODEOWNERS

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+# Global owners - everything will require their review
+* @dataen10
+
+# Core Trading Logic - requires trading expert review
+/agentic_ai_system/strategy_agent.py @dataen10
+/agentic_ai_system/execution_agent.py @dataen10
+/agentic_ai_system/alpaca_broker.py @dataen10
+
+# Machine Learning Components - requires ML expert review
+/agentic_ai_system/finrl_agent.py @dataen10
+/agentic_ai_system/synthetic_data_generator.py @dataen10
+
+# Risk Management - requires risk expert review
+/agentic_ai_system/risk_management.py @dataen10
+/config.yaml @dataen10
+
+# Data Processing - requires data expert review
+/agentic_ai_system/data_ingestion.py @dataen10
+
+# Infrastructure and DevOps - requires DevOps expert review
+/Dockerfile @dataen10
+/docker-compose*.yml @dataen10
+/docker-entrypoint.sh @dataen10
+/.github/ @dataen10
+/scripts/ @dataen10
+
+# Testing - requires QA expert review
+/tests/ @dataen10
+/pytest.ini @dataen10
+
+# Documentation - requires technical writer review
+/README.md @dataen10
+/docs/ @dataen10
+/*.md @dataen10
+
+# Configuration and Environment - requires security review
+/.env* @dataen10
+/env.example @dataen10
+/.gitignore @dataen10
+
+# Dependencies - requires security review
+/requirements.txt @dataen10
+/requirements-dev.txt @dataen10
+
+# CI/CD Configuration - requires DevOps expert review
+/.github/workflows/ @dataen10
+/.github/dependabot.yml @dataen10 

.github/workflows/setup-branch-protection.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+name: Setup Branch Protection
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      branch:
+        description: 'Branch to protect'
+        required: true
+        default: 'main'
+      required_reviews:
+        description: 'Number of required reviews'
+        required: true
+        default: '2'
+      required_status_checks:
+        description: 'Required status checks (comma-separated)'
+        required: true
+        default: 'ci-cd/quality-check,ci-cd/test,ci-cd/security,ci-cd/backtesting'
+
+jobs:
+  setup-protection:
+    name: Setup Branch Protection
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      
+    - name: Setup Branch Protection
+      run: |
+        BRANCH="${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}"
+        REVIEWS="${{ github.event.inputs.required_reviews }}"
+        CHECKS="${{ github.event.inputs.required_status_checks }}"
+        
+        # Convert comma-separated checks to JSON array
+        CHECKS_JSON=$(echo "[$(echo $CHECKS | sed 's/,/","/g' | sed 's/^/"/' | sed 's/$/"/')]")
+        
+        echo "Setting up protection for branch: $BRANCH"
+        echo "Required reviews: $REVIEWS"
+        echo "Required checks: $CHECKS"
+        
+        # Enable branch protection
+        gh api repos/${{ github.repository }}/branches/$BRANCH/protection \
+          --method PUT \
+          --field required_status_checks="{\"strict\":true,\"contexts\":$CHECKS_JSON}" \
+          --field enforce_admins=true \
+          --field required_pull_request_reviews="{\"required_approving_review_count\":$REVIEWS,\"dismiss_stale_reviews\":true,\"require_code_owner_reviews\":true}" \
+          --field restrictions=null \
+          --field allow_force_pushes=false \
+          --field allow_deletions=false
+        
+        echo "✅ Branch protection enabled for $BRANCH"
+        
+    - name: Verify Protection
+      run: |
+        BRANCH="${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}"
+        
+        echo "Verifying branch protection for $BRANCH..."
+        
+        # Get protection status
+        PROTECTION=$(gh api repos/${{ github.repository }}/branches/$BRANCH/protection)
+        
+        echo "Protection status:"
+        echo "$PROTECTION" | jq '.'
+        
+        # Check if protection is enabled
+        if echo "$PROTECTION" | jq -e '.required_status_checks' > /dev/null; then
+          echo "✅ Branch protection is active"
+        else
+          echo "❌ Branch protection not properly configured"
+          exit 1
+        fi 

BRANCH_PROTECTION_RULES.md

@@ -0,0 +1,450 @@
+# 🛡️ Branch Protection Rules & Release Guidelines
+
+This document outlines the recommended branch protection rules and release management guidelines for the Algorithmic Trading System.
+
+## 🔒 Branch Protection Rules
+
+### **Main Branch Protection**
+
+#### **Required Status Checks**
+```yaml
+# Quality Assurance
+- ci-cd/quality-check
+- ci-cd/test
+- ci-cd/security
+
+# Trading-Specific
+- ci-cd/backtesting
+- ci-cd/model-training
+
+# Deployment
+- ci-cd/docker-build
+- ci-cd/docker-push
+```
+
+#### **Required Reviews**
+```yaml
+# Code Review Requirements
+- Require pull request reviews: 2
+- Dismiss stale reviews: true
+- Require review from code owners: true
+- Require review from trading experts: true
+
+# Review Restrictions
+- Restrict pushes: true
+- Allow force pushes: false
+- Allow deletions: false
+```
+
+#### **Code Quality Gates**
+```yaml
+# Test Coverage
+- Minimum coverage: 80%
+- Coverage decrease threshold: 5%
+
+# Security Requirements
+- No critical vulnerabilities
+- No high severity issues
+- Security scan passed
+
+# Performance Requirements
+- Strategy backtesting passed
+- Performance benchmarks met
+- Risk limits validated
+```
+
+### **Development Branch Rules**
+
+#### **Feature Branches**
+```yaml
+# Naming Convention
+- Pattern: feature/description
+- Examples: feature/new-strategy, feature/risk-management
+
+# Protection Level
+- Require status checks: ci-cd/quality-check, ci-cd/test
+- Require reviews: 1
+- Allow force pushes: false
+```
+
+#### **Hotfix Branches**
+```yaml
+# Naming Convention
+- Pattern: hotfix/issue-description
+- Examples: hotfix/critical-bug, hotfix/security-patch
+
+# Protection Level
+- Require status checks: ALL
+- Require reviews: 2
+- Require trading expert approval
+- Allow force pushes: false
+```
+
+## 🏷️ Release Management Guidelines
+
+### **Version Numbering (Semantic Versioning)**
+```yaml
+# Format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+- MAJOR: Breaking changes, major strategy updates
+- MINOR: New features, strategy enhancements
+- PATCH: Bug fixes, security patches
+
+# Examples
+- v1.0.0: Initial release
+- v1.1.0: New trading strategy added
+- v1.1.1: Bug fix in risk management
+- v2.0.0: Major architecture change
+```
+
+### **Release Types**
+
+#### **Major Releases (vX.0.0)**
+**Requirements:**
+- ✅ Full test suite passes
+- ✅ Security audit completed
+- ✅ Performance benchmarks met
+- ✅ Trading expert approval
+- ✅ Risk management review
+- ✅ Documentation updated
+- ✅ Migration guide provided
+
+**Examples:**
+- New trading algorithm implementation
+- Major FinRL model architecture change
+- Significant API changes
+- Risk management system overhaul
+
+#### **Minor Releases (vX.Y.0)**
+**Requirements:**
+- ✅ All tests pass
+- ✅ Backtesting validation
+- ✅ Performance impact assessed
+- ✅ Code review completed
+- ✅ Documentation updated
+
+**Examples:**
+- New technical indicators
+- Strategy parameter optimization
+- Enhanced risk controls
+- New data sources
+
+#### **Patch Releases (vX.Y.Z)**
+**Requirements:**
+- ✅ Regression tests pass
+- ✅ Security scan clean
+- ✅ Quick review by maintainer
+- ✅ Release notes updated
+
+**Examples:**
+- Bug fixes
+- Security patches
+- Performance optimizations
+- Documentation corrections
+
+### **Release Process**
+
+#### **1. Pre-Release Checklist**
+```yaml
+# Code Quality
+- [ ] All CI/CD checks pass
+- [ ] Code coverage > 80%
+- [ ] No security vulnerabilities
+- [ ] Performance benchmarks met
+
+# Trading Validation
+- [ ] Strategy backtesting passed
+- [ ] Risk limits validated
+- [ ] Model performance acceptable
+- [ ] Compliance checks passed
+
+# Documentation
+- [ ] README updated
+- [ ] API documentation current
+- [ ] Changelog prepared
+- [ ] Migration notes (if needed)
+```
+
+#### **2. Release Creation**
+```bash
+# Create release branch
+git checkout -b release/v1.2.0
+
+# Update version
+# Update CHANGELOG.md
+# Update documentation
+
+# Create tag
+git tag -a v1.2.0 -m "Release v1.2.0: Enhanced risk management"
+
+# Push tag (triggers release workflow)
+git push origin v1.2.0
+```
+
+#### **3. Post-Release Validation**
+```yaml
+# Automated Checks
+- [ ] Docker image built successfully
+- [ ] Documentation deployed
+- [ ] Release notes published
+- [ ] Notifications sent
+
+# Manual Verification
+- [ ] Test deployment in staging
+- [ ] Strategy performance validation
+- [ ] Risk management verification
+- [ ] User acceptance testing
+```
+
+## 🚨 Critical Trading Rules
+
+### **Risk Management Validation**
+```yaml
+# Position Limits
+- Maximum position size: 100 shares
+- Maximum portfolio allocation: 5%
+- Maximum drawdown: 5%
+
+# Strategy Validation
+- Minimum Sharpe ratio: 0.5
+- Maximum volatility: 20%
+- Minimum backtesting period: 6 months
+
+# Compliance Checks
+- Regulatory compliance verified
+- Risk limits enforced
+- Audit trail maintained
+```
+
+### **Emergency Procedures**
+
+#### **Critical Bug in Production**
+```yaml
+# Immediate Actions
+1. Stop trading immediately
+2. Create hotfix branch
+3. Apply emergency patch
+4. Deploy to production
+5. Notify stakeholders
+
+# Post-Emergency
+1. Root cause analysis
+2. Process improvement
+3. Documentation update
+4. Team review
+```
+
+#### **Security Incident**
+```yaml
+# Response Steps
+1. Assess impact
+2. Contain threat
+3. Apply security patch
+4. Verify fix
+5. Deploy update
+6. Monitor closely
+```
+
+## 📋 Code Owner Rules
+
+### **CODEOWNERS File**
+```yaml
+# Core Trading Logic
+/agentic_ai_system/strategy_agent.py @trading-expert
+/agentic_ai_system/finrl_agent.py @ml-expert
+/agentic_ai_system/execution_agent.py @trading-expert
+
+# Risk Management
+/agentic_ai_system/risk_management.py @risk-expert
+/config.yaml @trading-expert
+
+# Infrastructure
+/Dockerfile @devops-expert
+/.github/ @devops-expert
+
+# Documentation
+/README.md @tech-writer
+/docs/ @tech-writer
+```
+
+### **Review Requirements**
+```yaml
+# Trading Code
+- Must be reviewed by trading expert
+- Must pass backtesting validation
+- Must meet risk management criteria
+
+# ML Models
+- Must be reviewed by ML expert
+- Must pass performance validation
+- Must include model documentation
+
+# Infrastructure
+- Must be reviewed by DevOps expert
+- Must pass security scan
+- Must include deployment plan
+```
+
+## 🔍 Quality Gates
+
+### **Automated Checks**
+```yaml
+# Code Quality
+- Black formatting check
+- Flake8 linting (max 10 complexity)
+- Type hints coverage > 90%
+- Docstring coverage > 80%
+
+# Security
+- Bandit security scan
+- Safety dependency check
+- Trivy container scan
+- Secret detection
+
+# Performance
+- Strategy execution time < 100ms
+- Memory usage < 1GB
+- CPU usage < 80%
+- API response time < 500ms
+```
+
+### **Manual Reviews**
+```yaml
+# Code Review Checklist
+- [ ] Logic is correct
+- [ ] Error handling adequate
+- [ ] Performance acceptable
+- [ ] Security considerations
+- [ ] Documentation updated
+- [ ] Tests added/updated
+
+# Trading Review Checklist
+- [ ] Strategy logic sound
+- [ ] Risk management adequate
+- [ ] Performance metrics acceptable
+- [ ] Compliance requirements met
+- [ ] Backtesting results validated
+```
+
+## 📊 Monitoring & Alerts
+
+### **Release Monitoring**
+```yaml
+# Success Metrics
+- Deployment success rate > 95%
+- Zero critical bugs in first 24h
+- Performance maintained
+- User satisfaction > 4.5/5
+
+# Alert Thresholds
+- Test failure rate > 5%
+- Security vulnerability detected
+- Performance degradation > 10%
+- Trading error rate > 1%
+```
+
+### **Automated Notifications**
+```yaml
+# Slack Channels
+- #trading-alerts: Critical trading issues
+- #deployment: Release status
+- #security: Security incidents
+- #performance: Performance alerts
+
+# Email Notifications
+- Release completion
+- Critical failures
+- Security incidents
+- Performance degradation
+```
+
+## 🛠️ Implementation Guide
+
+### **GitHub Settings**
+
+#### **1. Branch Protection**
+```bash
+# Enable branch protection for main
+gh api repos/:owner/:repo/branches/main/protection \
+  --method PUT \
+  --field required_status_checks='{"strict":true,"contexts":["ci-cd/quality-check","ci-cd/test","ci-cd/security"]}' \
+  --field enforce_admins=true \
+  --field required_pull_request_reviews='{"required_approving_review_count":2,"dismiss_stale_reviews":true}' \
+  --field restrictions=null
+```
+
+#### **2. Required Status Checks**
+```yaml
+# In GitHub UI: Settings > Branches > Add rule
+Branch name pattern: main
+Require status checks to pass before merging: ✅
+Require branches to be up to date before merging: ✅
+Status checks that are required:
+- ci-cd/quality-check
+- ci-cd/test
+- ci-cd/security
+- ci-cd/backtesting
+- ci-cd/docker-build
+```
+
+#### **3. Review Requirements**
+```yaml
+# Pull Request Reviews
+Require a pull request before merging: ✅
+Require approvals: 2
+Dismiss stale pull request approvals when new commits are pushed: ✅
+Require review from code owners: ✅
+Restrict pushes that create files: ✅
+```
+
+### **Release Automation**
+
+#### **1. Release Workflow Trigger**
+```yaml
+# Automatic on tag push
+on:
+  push:
+    tags:
+      - 'v*'
+```
+
+#### **2. Release Validation**
+```yaml
+# Pre-release checks
+- All tests pass
+- Security scan clean
+- Performance benchmarks met
+- Documentation updated
+```
+
+#### **3. Post-release Monitoring**
+```yaml
+# 24-hour monitoring
+- Error rate monitoring
+- Performance tracking
+- User feedback collection
+- Rollback preparation
+```
+
+## 📈 Success Metrics
+
+### **Quality Metrics**
+- **Bug Rate**: < 1% of releases
+- **Security Incidents**: 0 per quarter
+- **Performance Degradation**: < 5%
+- **User Satisfaction**: > 4.5/5
+
+### **Process Metrics**
+- **Release Frequency**: 2-4 weeks
+- **Deployment Time**: < 30 minutes
+- **Rollback Time**: < 10 minutes
+- **Review Time**: < 24 hours
+
+### **Trading Metrics**
+- **Strategy Performance**: > Benchmark
+- **Risk Compliance**: 100%
+- **System Uptime**: > 99.9%
+- **Error Rate**: < 0.1%
+
+---
+
+**Note**: These rules are specifically designed for algorithmic trading systems where code quality directly impacts financial performance and risk management. 

RELEASE_CHECKLIST.md

@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+# 📋 Release Checklist Template
+
+## 🚀 Pre-Release Preparation
+
+### **Code Quality & Testing**
+- [ ] All CI/CD checks pass
+- [ ] Test coverage > 80%
+- [ ] No security vulnerabilities detected
+- [ ] Performance benchmarks met
+- [ ] All tests pass locally
+- [ ] Integration tests completed
+
+### **Trading-Specific Validation**
+- [ ] Strategy backtesting passed
+- [ ] Risk limits validated
+- [ ] Model performance acceptable
+- [ ] Compliance checks passed
+- [ ] Position limits enforced
+- [ ] Drawdown limits verified
+
+### **Documentation**
+- [ ] README.md updated
+- [ ] API documentation current
+- [ ] Changelog prepared
+- [ ] Migration notes (if needed)
+- [ ] Release notes drafted
+- [ ] User guide updated
+
+### **Infrastructure**
+- [ ] Docker image builds successfully
+- [ ] Docker Hub credentials configured
+- [ ] Environment variables documented
+- [ ] Configuration files updated
+- [ ] Dependencies reviewed
+
+## 🔍 Release Validation
+
+### **Automated Checks**
+- [ ] Quality assurance pipeline passed
+- [ ] Security scan completed
+- [ ] Performance tests passed
+- [ ] Backtesting validation successful
+- [ ] Docker build successful
+- [ ] Documentation generation completed
+
+### **Manual Verification**
+- [ ] Code review completed (2+ reviewers)
+- [ ] Trading expert approval received
+- [ ] Risk management review completed
+- [ ] Security review completed
+- [ ] Performance review completed
+
+### **Pre-Deployment Testing**
+- [ ] Staging environment deployment successful
+- [ ] Smoke tests passed
+- [ ] Integration tests passed
+- [ ] Performance tests passed
+- [ ] User acceptance testing completed
+
+## 🏷️ Release Process
+
+### **Version Management**
+- [ ] Version number updated
+- [ ] Changelog updated
+- [ ] Release notes finalized
+- [ ] Tag created with proper message
+- [ ] Branch protection rules verified
+
+### **Release Creation**
+```bash
+# Create release branch
+git checkout -b release/v1.2.0
+
+# Update version files
+# Update CHANGELOG.md
+# Update documentation
+
+# Commit changes
+git add .
+git commit -m "chore: prepare release v1.2.0"
+
+# Create tag
+git tag -a v1.2.0 -m "Release v1.2.0: Enhanced risk management"
+
+# Push tag (triggers release workflow)
+git push origin v1.2.0
+```
+
+### **Post-Release Verification**
+- [ ] Release workflow completed successfully
+- [ ] Docker image pushed to Docker Hub
+- [ ] Documentation deployed
+- [ ] Release notes published
+- [ ] Notifications sent
+
+## 🚨 Critical Trading Checks
+
+### **Risk Management**
+- [ ] Maximum position size: 100 shares
+- [ ] Maximum portfolio allocation: 5%
+- [ ] Maximum drawdown: 5%
+- [ ] Stop-loss orders configured
+- [ ] Take-profit orders configured
+
+### **Strategy Validation**
+- [ ] Minimum Sharpe ratio: 0.5
+- [ ] Maximum volatility: 20%
+- [ ] Minimum backtesting period: 6 months
+- [ ] Strategy logic verified
+- [ ] Performance metrics acceptable
+
+### **Compliance**
+- [ ] Regulatory compliance verified
+- [ ] Risk limits enforced
+- [ ] Audit trail maintained
+- [ ] Trading permissions verified
+- [ ] API rate limits respected
+
+## 📊 Performance Monitoring
+
+### **Pre-Release Metrics**
+- [ ] Strategy execution time < 100ms
+- [ ] Memory usage < 1GB
+- [ ] CPU usage < 80%
+- [ ] API response time < 500ms
+- [ ] Error rate < 0.1%
+
+### **Post-Release Monitoring (24h)**
+- [ ] Error rate monitoring
+- [ ] Performance tracking
+- [ ] User feedback collection
+- [ ] System health monitoring
+- [ ] Trading performance validation
+
+## 🔧 Emergency Procedures
+
+### **Rollback Plan**
+- [ ] Previous version identified
+- [ ] Rollback procedure documented
+- [ ] Rollback team notified
+- [ ] Rollback timeline established
+- [ ] Communication plan prepared
+
+### **Critical Issues Response**
+- [ ] Stop trading immediately
+- [ ] Assess impact and scope
+- [ ] Apply emergency fix
+- [ ] Deploy hotfix
+- [ ] Notify stakeholders
+- [ ] Document incident
+
+## 📢 Communication
+
+### **Internal Notifications**
+- [ ] Development team notified
+- [ ] Trading team notified
+- [ ] Operations team notified
+- [ ] Management notified
+- [ ] Support team briefed
+
+### **External Communications**
+- [ ] Release announcement prepared
+- [ ] User documentation updated
+- [ ] API documentation updated
+- [ ] Community notifications sent
+- [ ] Support tickets updated
+
+## ✅ Release Completion
+
+### **Final Verification**
+- [ ] All automated checks passed
+- [ ] Manual verification completed
+- [ ] Performance monitoring active
+- [ ] Error tracking configured
+- [ ] User feedback channels open
+
+### **Post-Release Activities**
+- [ ] Monitor system for 24 hours
+- [ ] Collect user feedback
+- [ ] Address any issues promptly
+- [ ] Update release notes if needed
+- [ ] Plan next release cycle
+
+## 📈 Success Metrics
+
+### **Quality Metrics**
+- [ ] Zero critical bugs in first 24h
+- [ ] Performance maintained
+- [ ] User satisfaction > 4.5/5
+- [ ] System uptime > 99.9%
+
+### **Trading Metrics**
+- [ ] Strategy performance > benchmark
+- [ ] Risk compliance: 100%
+- [ ] Error rate < 0.1%
+- [ ] Execution time < 100ms
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 Release Checklist Usage
+
+### **For Major Releases (vX.0.0)**
+- Complete ALL checklist items
+- Require trading expert approval
+- Perform extensive testing
+- Include migration guide
+
+### **For Minor Releases (vX.Y.0)**
+- Complete core checklist items
+- Require code review
+- Perform standard testing
+- Update documentation
+
+### **For Patch Releases (vX.Y.Z)**
+- Complete essential checklist items
+- Quick review by maintainer
+- Regression testing
+- Update release notes
+
+---
+
+**Note**: This checklist is specifically designed for algorithmic trading systems where code quality directly impacts financial performance and risk management. Always prioritize safety and compliance over speed.